Survey of Kansas and Missouri General Dentists Identifying Periodontal Referral Patterns

Abstract

This investigation surveyed general dentists from Kansas and Missouri to identify factors which may impact how likely they are to refer to periodontists. The web-based survey probed areas of clinician demographics, practice location and characteristics, and periodontal treatment philosophy to see how those domains influenced referrals made to periodontists. Through the Kansas Dental Association (KDA) and the Missouri Dental Association (MDA), 2,819 potential recipients were contacted, yielding 221 responses. Dentists who practiced with at least one other dentist were more likely to refer (p=0.001) as were dentists who employed more than one hygienist (p=0.020). Offices that frequently provided scaling and root planing were more apt to refer (p<0.000). Those who expressed an interest in teledentistry reported referring less (p=0.032), indicating that supporting advancement of teledentistry may increase periodontal referrals. Therefore, factors in practice characteristics as well as periodontal treatment philosophy appear to influence periodontal referral patterns.